Opinions on this spec from Pc Specialists

iggy

Hi
Need a new laptop as I had to send one back for refund to Amazon.

Basically need a fast laptop for browsing, booting up, streaming, bit of photo editing, Ms office. No gaming.
Definitely want an ssd. Did I choose the right area in the configuration for the ssd? Only want the ssd drive as I don't need loads of storage.

I have a brand new copy of Windows 7 to put on it. Do I just put the disc in and install or will I need to find any drivers?

Anyway here's the spec. Would anyone change anything?
Hope the IPS is worth it. I have a discount code to bring it to €618 delivered.

Chassis & Display
UltraNote: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i3 Dual Core Mobile Processor i3-3120M (2.50GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
Intel® HD Graphics 4000 Video Memory Technology up to 1.7GB
Memory - Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON V300 SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
UltraNote Series: 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery
UltraNote Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (62.16WH) (Up to 7 Hours)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 65W AC Adaptor
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
ULTRANOTE SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (€16)
Delivery
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (€23)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: €618.00 including VAT and delivery.

looking_around

is the windows 7 ..64bit or 32?
If it's 64, I'd suggest going up to 6 gigs RAM. (It'll make photo editing smoother..and won't add much to your cost). 32, as far as I know won't read that much RAM so don't bother.

When installing the OS, yes you will need to install drivers. As they are different with each computer, ie an OS disk can't cater for them all.

Torqay

They don't do 6, get 8 GB RAM.

If you don't need loads of storage, the 120 GB Kingston SSD should do. Invest the savings in a better processor, the Core i7-3632QM will turn it into a real beast, also makes it a bit more "future proof" because the Ultranote isn't exactly a budget laptop.

And yes, the IPS display is well worth it.

Don't worry about the drivers, PC Specialist ship their laptops with a Driver DVD. If you order without OS, it comes with a non-activated version of Windows 7 Home Premium preinstalled (30 day trial), you should be able to activate Windows with your license key (if it is for Home Premium OEM).

iggy

Torqay wrote: »

They don't do 6, get 8 GB RAM.

If you don't need loads of storage, the 120 GB Kingston SSD should do. Invest the savings in a better processor, the Core i7-3632QM will turn it into a real beast, also makes it a bit more "future proof" because the Ultranote isn't exactly a budget laptop.

And yes, the IPS display is well worth it.

Don't worry about the drivers, PC Specialist ship their laptops with a Driver DVD. If you order without OS, it comes with a non-activated version of Windows 7 Home Premium preinstalled (30 day trial), you should be able to activate Windows with your license key (if it is for Home Premium OEM).

cheers
I changed the config to an i5 and 8gb Ram, and to a 120 gb ssd.
Total comes to 650 Euro delivered. This is my max budget so is this the best i can get?
Also i will be putting W7 Ultimate on it. Will i have to find the drivers ?

Torqay

No, you will get a DVD with all device drivers.

Not sure if they're all the latest versions though. You can download them from their website as well.

Torqay

A few tips for your SSD:

Disable hibernation. No need for it, it will boot fast enough and you'll have 8GB more space on the disk.

Disable prefetch/superfetch. Not required with a SSD.

If you don't need context search, disable drive indexing and Windows Search.

iggy

Torqay wrote: »

A few tips for your SSD:

Disable hibernation. No need for it, it will boot fast enough and you'll have 8GB more space on the disk.

Disable prefetch/superfetch. Not required with a SSD.

If you don't need context search, disable drive indexing and Windows Search.

Cheers Torqay
Would u go with the i5 spec above?
Is there two slots so I can add a hdd at a future date?

Torqay

iggy wrote: »

Would u go with the i5 spec above?

Not a slow processor by any means but the difference between a dual-core i5 a quad-core i7 is still enormous. But what may look as an overkill today could be a valuable investment in the future. It really depends on how long you plan on using it. Say, three years and the i5 should be perfectly fine, with a Core i7 you should get easily 5 or 6 years out of it (probably with a replacement battery down the road).

iggy wrote: »

Is there two slots so I can add a hdd at a future date?

No, there is no 2nd HDD bay in the Ultranotes.

Vince1974

Iggy, what laptop did you purchase in the end and what's your impression of it? E.g. what does it weigh etc.

By the way, where did you pick up that discount code?